Strap fastening



H. BEDNALL May 11, 1937.

STRAP FASTENING ,Filed May 28, 1934 FIG.8.

Harr B u (51 lNVENTOE.

-PJAATTY.

Patented May 11, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRAP FASTENING Application May 28, 1934, Serial No. 727,900 In Great Britain May 30, 1933 6 Claims.

This invention relates to strap fastenings and although applicable to straps generally, is of particular advantage when applied to a fastening for use with the leather or fabric belts of leather or fabric garments. In connection with such belts, it has been proposed to provide a releasable fastening between the buckle and the part of the strap to be attached thereto in order to avoid having to draw the belt through the buckle every time it is unfastened and refastened, as a result of which, particularly when the softer kinds of leather or fabric are used, the exterior surface of the belt becomes injured and presents an unsightly appearance long before the rest of the garment shows any wear at all. The same applies to the buckle itself, when the frame of this is covered with leather or fabric as is commonly the case.

The primary object of the present invention is 20 to provide a releasable fastening which can be applied to an existing or normal buckle, but which does not necessitate the belt being threaded through the buckle when connecting or disconnecting the ends thereof.

A further object is to provide a cheap or simplified form of releasable fastening which will be easy to construct and operate in use.

Referring to the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of a strap fastening constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the manner in which it is applied to a belt.

Figure 2 is a similar view, but with the parts of the fastening separated one from another.

Figure 3 is a perspective front view of one of the fastening members shown in Figures 1 and 2, but in a slightly modified form.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a modification.

, Figure 5 is a section through a buckle incorporating the member shown in Figure 4.

In the constructions illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the fastening includes a buckle of the wellknown type comprising a substantially rectangular frame l5, intermediate the ends I6 of which is disposed a cross-bar ll having a tongue [8 pivoted centrally thereof.

Such a buckle is attached to one end IQ of a leather or other belt or strap in a manner to be described hereinafter. The free end 20 of the belt is provided with a plurality of spaced holes 2! adapted for selective engagement by the tongue i8 after the end 20 has been passed through the buckle and the length of the belt adjusted as desired. When the tongue has been entered in one of the holes 2|, an endwise pull on the belt holds the tongue in contact with the end I6 of the frame, and prevents the belt becoming disengaged therefrom.

That portion of the end 20 of the belt which extends beyond the tongue [8 will usually be passed back through the buckle on the opposite side of the cross-bar ll, so as to overlap the other end E9 of the belt, and it may be threaded through a leather or other loop thereon.

It is found that, when the end IQ of the belt is permanently attached to the cross-bar ll, as has been the usual practice hitherto, the rapid wear of the free end 26 which occurs, due to its having to be drawn through the buckle every time the belt is fastened or unfastened, soon renders the belt unsightly.

In a fastening constructed in accordance with the present invention, however, such damage to the belt is avoided by providing a detachable connection between the end i9 thereof and the buckle frame, such connection involving a pair of fastening members, one of which is adapted to be secured to the end of the belt whilst the other is fixedly or otherwise attached to the back of the frame on or adjacent the cross-bar ll.

With any of the arrangements now to be described, it will be seen that, once the effective length of the belt has been adjusted in the usual manner, the buckle need not be moved on the belt again until a fresh setting is desired, the connection and disconnection of the belt ends ordinarily being effected by means of the fastening members above-mentioned. As these are in all cases arranged at the back of the buckle, they are concealed by the overlapping end 20 of the belt, and the fastening as a whole thus presents a perfectly normal appearance. Furthermore the connection of the ends can be effected more rapidly than with the ordinary form of buckle.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fastening members employed are adapted for application to an existing buckle, and take the form of a hook and eye. The hook member is constructed from a sheet metal blank 22 which is bent upon itself at 23, one end being curled over as at 24 to enable the member to be clipped on to the cross-bar IT. This end of the blank is slotted at 25 to accommodate the tongue IS on the latter. The other member, which forms the eye, consists of a rectangular link 25 of wire, cast or strip metal through which the extremity of the belt end [9 is passed before being turned over and stitched to the adjacent part of the belt. Preferably the side of the link 26 around which the end of the belt is stitched is formed with an ear or tab to prevent angular movement of the link in relation to the belt, and this may consist of a U-shaped length of wire or strip 21, which is cast with or brazed on or otherwise attached to the link 26. The part 21 forms a finger piece whereby the link 26 may be conveniently handled when fastening or unfastening.

The ends of the sheet metal blank 22 may be turned up somewhat as at 28, 29 to facilitate their engagement with the cross-bar l1 and the link 26 respectively. Figure 3 illustrates a modified construction of hook member 22 in which an integral or other connecting piece 3U extends across the end of the slot 25, so as to engage'behindthe tongue I8 when the member 22 is in place on the cross-bar and thereby assist its retention thereon.

In the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5 the edges 28 of the curled over parts 24 are serratedso as to form teeth 60, such teeth being" adapted to'engage the back surface of the strap and serving to retain'it against slipping, thisconstruction being particularly useful when a buckle is used which has no prong.

It will, of course, be understood that the invention is equally applicable to what are known as slides or slide buckles, in which the'tongue V l8-is* dispensed with, the adjustment of the belt being maintained solely by the friction which resists movement of the belt in relation to the buckle. Such buckles are applicable to webbing straps as used on military equipment, spikes or Vprojections being frequently provided on the cross-bar IT to improve thegrip.

The constructions" having behind the buckle a hook, or a plate with a hooked end, can be very readily'operated to engage or disengage the fastening, since-the hook or hooked end is located definite'ly'behind thebuckle and the loop on'the' endof the strap can be held between the fingers in" a" suitable' position for engaging the hook. When the loop is provided at the back of the buckle and'the hook is on the end of the strap it is more difiicult to turn the hook so as to engage it in theloop, since the latter is hidden behind the buckle and cannot easily be gripped or located by the fingers, whilst it is somewhat diflicult to manipulate the hook behind the buckle, since if the belt is-to be tight when fastened, there islittle space at the back of the buckle and the hookfcannot be firmly gripped.

1. Astrap fastening comprising a buckle frame having a cross-bar overwhich one part of the strap is placed, a loop for attachment to the other strap: part and a fastening member for releasably connecting said loop to said buckle frame; said fastening member consisting of a plate adapted to be located entirely behind said buckle' frame, one edge of said plate being curled over to form an open hooked portion adapted to. engage detachably over said cross bar, the

- projecting edge of the hook being bent outwardly away from the surface of the plate to increase the width of the open mouth of the open hooked portion and to extend towards the strap placedoverthecrossbar and the-opposite edgeof said l fiat plate being bent over intheopposite'direction to form a further open hooked portion on the opposite faceof theplate to that at which isdisposed-the first-namedhooked portion, saidfurther hooked portion being releasablyengageable withsaid loop. I

2. A strap fastening comprising a buckle fram, having a cross-bar over which one part of said strap is passed, a tongue on said cross-bar, and a two part releasable fastening, one fastening part comprising a plate adapted to be located behind said buckle frame, one edge of said plate being curled over to form an open hooked portion divided to engage detachably over said crossbar on each side of said tongue, the projecting edge of the hook being bent outwardly away from the surface of the plate to increase the width of the opei-r mouth of the open hooked portion and to extend towards the strap placed over the cross bar and the opposite edge of said plate being bent over in the opposite direction to form a further open hooked portion on the opposite face of the plate to that atwhich is disposed the first namedhooked portion, said further hooked portion being releasably engageable with the other fastening part comprising a loop for attachment toa further strap. 7 I

3-. A strap fastening con'iprisinga buckle frame having a cross-bar over which one par't'of the strap is placed, a loop forattachment to the other strap part and a fastening member con-' sistihg ofa plate adapted to be located behind said buckle frame, one edge of said plate being curled over to form an open hooked portion adapted to engage detachably over said cross bar, the projecting edge ofthe hook being bent outwardly away from the surface of the plate to increase the width of the open mouth of the open hooked portion and-to extend towardsthe strap placed over the cross bar, teeth on said projecting edge to assist in-preventing the strap from slipping and" the" opposite edge of said plate being bent over in the opposite direction to form a further open hooked portion on the opposite face of the plate to that at which is disposed thefirst named hooked portion, said further hookedportion beingreleasably engageable-with said loop.

4. A strap fastening comprising a buckle frame of normal construction having a cross-bar over which one part o'fthe strap is placed, a tongue on said cross-bar for engagement in a hole in said strap part, a loop for attachment to the other strap part, a-sheet metal plate for releasably connecting said loop to said buckle frame, apart-cylindrical hooked portion at one edge ofsaid plate, said part-cylindrical portion being divided along its length for detachable engagement with said cross bar on each side of said tongue, said hooked portion having an open mouth permitting passage of said cross bar into said part-cylindricalportion, the projecting edge of the hook being bentou'twardly to' increase the width of the openmouth of said hooked portion,

said edge projecting away from the adjacent sur-' face ofthe' plate and towards the strap placed over said cross bar, and a further hooked" portion at the opposite edge of said plate, said further hooked portion projecting on the opposite face of theplate' to thatat which is disposed the partcylindrical portion, said further hooked portion being-,releasably'engageable with said loop.

5. A strap fastening comprising a buckle frame, across bar on said frame, a' strap engaging'ov'er said cross-bar, and a two'part releasable fastening, one part comprising a-plate'adapted' to be located-behind said'buckle and the other part comprising a loop for attachment to theother strap part, asheet metal plate for releasably connecting said 'loop'to said buckle'frame, a part-cylindrical hooked portion at one" edge of said plate for detachable engagement with said cross bar, said hooked portion having an open mouth permitting passage of said cross bar into said part-cylindrical portion, the projecting edge of the hook being bent outwardly to increase the width of the open mouth of said hooked portion, said edge projecting away from the adjacent surface of the plate and towards the strap placed over said cross bar, teeth on said projecting edge to assist in preventing the strap from slipping, and a further hooked portion at the opposite edge of said plate, said further hooked portion projecting on the opposite face of the plate to that at which is disposed the partcylindrical portion, said further hooked portion being releasably engageable with said loop.

6. A strap fastening comprising a buckle frame having a cross bar over which one part of the strap is placed, a loop for attachment to the other strap part, a sheet metal plate for releasably connecting said loop to said buckle frame, a part-cylindrical hooked portion at one edge of said plate for detachable engagement with said cross bar, said hooked portion having an open mouth permitting passage of said cross bar into said part-cylindrical portion, the projecting edge of the hook being bent outwardly to increase the width of the open mouth of said hooked portion, said edge projecting away from the adjacent surface of the plate and towards the strap placed over said cross bar, and a further hooked portion at the opposite edge of said plate, said further hooked portion projecting on the opposite face of the plate to that at which is disposed the part-cylindrical portion, said further hooked portion being releasably engageable with said loop.

HARRY BEDNALL. 

